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taliabasma's reviews
852 reviews
Her Night with the Duke by Diana Quincy
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was the first of the series but I read it last and ironically liked it the least.
I really enjoyed Leela and her overall personality. She said / thought a lot of things that for real had me laughing out loud. I also enjoyed this as a less chaotic version of Bridgerton season 2 bc I loved the enemies to lovers but the way the sister was literally abt to marry him was messy and this was a little less messy.
That said, I wasn’t fully hooked to this one as the others and the duke, while he had his moments, still read a bit eh sometimes. For example, he would talk about her Arab family as if they were chaos and trouble, maybe it was supposed to be teasing but it did not read that way.
Also we kind of don’t get full answers to some things - Victoria never finds out the truth which I guess makes sense but feels off, the way he spoke to Leela’s brother left much to be desired and I already know they don’t get a long in the later books either so hmm idk this book as a bit disappointing compared to the others.
Good “first” book in how it sets the stage for the other couples but very subtly.
I really enjoyed Leela and her overall personality. She said / thought a lot of things that for real had me laughing out loud. I also enjoyed this as a less chaotic version of Bridgerton season 2 bc I loved the enemies to lovers but the way the sister was literally abt to marry him was messy and this was a little less messy.
That said, I wasn’t fully hooked to this one as the others and the duke, while he had his moments, still read a bit eh sometimes. For example, he would talk about her Arab family as if they were chaos and trouble, maybe it was supposed to be teasing but it did not read that way.
Also we kind of don’t get full answers to some things - Victoria never finds out the truth which I guess makes sense but feels off, the way he spoke to Leela’s brother left much to be desired and I already know they don’t get a long in the later books either so hmm idk this book as a bit disappointing compared to the others.
Good “first” book in how it sets the stage for the other couples but very subtly.
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I always enjoy Adams' books. They are perfectly fun and the FML is usually very relatable. Here Emily is the "responsible oldest sister" which I def related to.
Jack was cute in that rough but nerdy way and I was eating it up.
That said, this book did feel a bit off pacing wise and I think ran a tad too long. But who knows maybe social media just gave me the attention span of a rat.
Jack was cute in that rough but nerdy way and I was eating it up.
That said, this book did feel a bit off pacing wise and I think ran a tad too long. But who knows maybe social media just gave me the attention span of a rat.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Don't Let Me Go by Kelsie Rae
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Didn’t realize it was “book 2” of the series but it reads like a 2012 wattpad story which isn’t an insult but it’s just not the kind of book I read anymore. Especially when the FML reads like a 15 year old brat lol.
Why is she getting soooo drunk? I get he’s ruining her vibe but 2 cups of vodka and then beer pong?
Also what is up with the ML he’s an idiot lool growling left and right “woe is me bc my bf’s sister is hot”. Colt doesn’t even seem to give a hoot about his sisters love like, shoot your shot dude.
Idk if I’m missing context from book 1 but if it’s a standalone series, I shouldn’t be missing that much context.
Why is she getting soooo drunk? I get he’s ruining her vibe but 2 cups of vodka and then beer pong?
Also what is up with the ML he’s an idiot lool growling left and right “woe is me bc my bf’s sister is hot”. Colt doesn’t even seem to give a hoot about his sisters love like, shoot your shot dude.
Idk if I’m missing context from book 1 but if it’s a standalone series, I shouldn’t be missing that much context.
Night Shift by Annie Crown
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
It has plot potential but per other reviews it seems like its more smutty that I was anticipating and how is he already telling her to her face she's scared of the real world on their first encounter LOL I would not fall in love with him if I were her and I am a book nerd like her who would rather read than party.
Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Hmm. Lots of bookish friends on IG raved about this book so I was pretty excited to read it. It wasn't bad but I don't think it quite lived up to what I was expecting. I think if you like Women's Fiction and self discovery with a arguably sprinkle of romance, this is good for you. It read more along Chick Lit than Romance and I guess that tracks because it's comped with Bridget Jones which I personally also don't like. I did like the witty back and forth as well as the way the FL GROWS so much. I'm not a size 20 but I have truly dealt with "people that care" making very unsolicited comments about my body (uncle included) so all of that was well done and so relatable. I also really enjoyed that this WASN'T the expected *fake dating* trope I thought it would be even though I am 100% a fan of fake dating - points for creativity.
I want to give this book a 4 star because it was good overall but here are what I didn't like and in retrospect 3.75 is more in line with my actual opinion bc I usually have less to say about 4 stars.
1. The FL refused to communicate with Ahmad in full sentences. She took bits and bobs of statements to make full on conclusions and even after it embarrassingly blew up the first time with her ready to fight him only to learn about the trauma of him losing his fiance she still goes ahead and jumps conclusions about where Ahmad's head is at
2. This book was verryyyy redundant. I enjoyed the variety of loser men, but it became pretty boring how much of a loser all of them were. I did like that the last guy had actual promise but I wish more of the guys had less obnoxious flaws and more subtle ones because I think those are the more frustrating dates – they aren't bad but the vibe isn't there for one reason or another.
3. The FL's second friend with family issues, while I respect her story, sometimes the context felt unnecessary and/or incomplete. Are we going to be getting the friends' romances? I just felt the pockets of information made me want to know more but we never do so most of it feels entirely irrelevant.
Nit-pick things that are 100000% personal and not really part of the rating decision:
4. The sex scenes did not land for me. I have already been losing interest in sex scenes in romance so I am usually skipping them regardless and they don't really have an affect on my review, but the opening scene in particular already set a idk the right word but "silly" tone is the best I can do right now.
5. I was pretty excited when I saw the ML's name was Ahmad. I will say Ahmad Williamson is def not a combo I have ever heard before but I thought his "origins" would come up and it didn't. I know Arabs do not have a claim on names but it was very disorienting for me as an Arab with family whose name is Ahmad to hear an audiobook read it "Aohmad", his name was just something else entirely for me. I did look it up and learn that about 11.0% of "Ahmad"s in America are Black so I did learn something new with that!
I also do not drink like at alllll so I think this book being in a bar for 70% of the setting probably didn't help me with "connecting" to the story. I would still 100% check out other books by this author though.
I want to give this book a 4 star because it was good overall but here are what I didn't like and in retrospect 3.75 is more in line with my actual opinion bc I usually have less to say about 4 stars.
1. The FL refused to communicate with Ahmad in full sentences. She took bits and bobs of statements to make full on conclusions and even after it embarrassingly blew up the first time with
2. This book was verryyyy redundant. I enjoyed the variety of loser men, but it became pretty boring how much of a loser all of them were. I did like that the last guy had actual promise but I wish more of the guys had less obnoxious flaws and more subtle ones because I think those are the more frustrating dates – they aren't bad but the vibe isn't there for one reason or another.
3. The FL's second friend with family issues, while I respect her story, sometimes the context felt unnecessary and/or incomplete. Are we going to be getting the friends' romances? I just felt the pockets of information made me want to know more but we never do so most of it feels entirely irrelevant.
Nit-pick things that are 100000% personal and not really part of the rating decision:
4. The sex scenes did not land for me. I have already been losing interest in sex scenes in romance so I am usually skipping them regardless and they don't really have an affect on my review, but the opening scene in particular already set a idk the right word but "silly" tone is the best I can do right now.
5. I was pretty excited when I saw the ML's name was Ahmad. I will say Ahmad Williamson is def not a combo I have ever heard before but I thought his "origins" would come up and it didn't. I know Arabs do not have a claim on names but it was very disorienting for me as an Arab with family whose name is Ahmad to hear an audiobook read it "Aohmad", his name was just something else entirely for me. I did look it up and learn that about 11.0% of "Ahmad"s in America are Black so I did learn something new with that!
I also do not drink like at alllll so I think this book being in a bar for 70% of the setting probably didn't help me with "connecting" to the story. I would still 100% check out other books by this author though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Alcohol
Moderate: Car accident
Haunt Your Heart Out by Amber Roberts
2.75
Conceptually this book is enjoyable and I actually was super engaged at certain points of this book but I almost gave it a 3 BUT 1. it drags on a way too long and 2. there’s a lot of plot drama that just felt unnecessary and ridiculous.
Someone else mentioned the Charles plot point made no sense and I agree, would it really have been hard for him to just want to offer her the place rather than say oh it’s haunted take it at a steal? I really felt they could have set this up better to make more sense. I know that if Charles didn’t care about the haunted part at the start she wouldn’t have had to lie about the ghost stories but this felt like those examples where the author FORCED something that didn’t fit.
Also for the drama with her family, idk if it’s because I have my own family drama but the FL really was so dramatic abt her family. She’s supposed to be 33 but read like she was 23.
Overall the plot was a fun idea, but it was just too long / pacing felt off. I was shocked to find I was only at the 70% mark while I was listening bc I really felt like it just KEPT going.
Also for the drama with her family, idk if it’s because I have my own family drama but the FL really was so dramatic abt her family. She’s supposed to be 33 but read like she was 23.
Overall the plot was a fun idea, but it was just too long / pacing felt off. I was shocked to find I was only at the 70% mark while I was listening bc I really felt like it just KEPT going.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity
The Duke Gets Desperate by Diana Quincy
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The start of the book was really slow for me. I don’t know why I was not really invested until maybe 15 or 20% into the book.
But once I hit that part, I zoomed through this book. I love how the romance was the focal of the novel, of course, but the way they littered in the mystery and drama of everything else was really fun.
It’s kind of like knives out in the way the mystery is set up where it’s not really mysterious who did it but then it is a mystery. Only for your gut to be right all along. My favorite part, not part of the mystery was when she learns the castle isn’t hers so she tries to frustrate him into being like “no circus it’s my castle” BUT instead he is like “she is a smart enterprising woman, she’ll make the right choice” 😭 like omg talk about a mannnn
But once I hit that part, I zoomed through this book. I love how the romance was the focal of the novel, of course, but the way they littered in the mystery and drama of everything else was really fun.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, and Murder
Minor: Vomit
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Veryyyyy creative and well thought out novel. I personally like my romances with no *sad vibes* but the way Lemon deals with her grief is key to the plot and is quite poignant all things considered.
Ewon was a lovely ML andI really enjoyed the way he not only was John but ALSO the guy in the cab that got her in publishing - I hadn’t seen that second one coming.
Ewon was a lovely ML and
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Grief
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
It takes about 5 chapters for the MLs POV and that was the chapter that caught my eye and made me keep reading a bit but the pacing isn’t promising for such a long book of a duology.
I think this could be funny but I’m not inclined to read Evie’s POV much and so I will stop now.
I think this could be funny but I’m not inclined to read Evie’s POV much and so I will stop now.
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
4.25
✨ Be cautiously reckless ✨
I’m more of a romance fiend and I thought I’d DNF this book. But honestly it was everything a self help book wishes it could be.
Clover is relatable in 101 ways and even before “be cautiously reckless” came up in the book I was whispering to Clover as if she were my reflection “be carefully carefree” so 10/10 on basically all the life lessons. 🥰
I’m more of a romance fiend and I thought I’d DNF this book. But honestly it was everything a self help book wishes it could be.
Clover is relatable in 101 ways and even before “be cautiously reckless” came up in the book I was whispering to Clover as if she were my reflection “be carefully carefree” so 10/10 on basically all the life lessons. 🥰
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent